A Greene County road is expected to close for two months while N.C. Department of Transportation contract crews make improvements to it.
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City considering hiring freeze, furloughs and $21,600 pay raise for council, mayor
The proposed budget for next year anticipates steep drops in revenue. It eliminates capital outlay and calls for positions to remain unfilled while raising the possibility of employee furloughs if revenues drop more than expected. Under the proposed budget, city council members and the mayor would receive a raise.
Lenoir County building permits
The following building permits were issued in Lenoir County:
Kinston Starbucks opens, watch our Facebook Live
Neuse News Digital Media Correspondent Gracie Herring, Mackenzie Cannon and Hannah Thrower were the first customers at the Kinston Starbucks Friday morning. Watch the Neuse News Facebook Live feed.
Bill to help teens get their driver’s license during COVID-19 pandemic passes NC House, heads to governor
Today, the NC House approved a bipartisan bill to temporarily waive the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) road tests to allow teen drivers to receive their level two limited provisional license during the COVID-19 outbreak. The bill is now waiting for Governor Cooper’s signature.
Town of La Grange files suit against Governor Cooper
The Town of La Grange filed a declaratory judgment action in Lenoir County Superior Court, asking the Court to review Governor Roy Cooper’s Executive Order No. 124. The filing also asks the court to enter a declaration that Section 1 of the order unlawfully interferes with the ability of utility service providers to exercise their own discretion and judgment in collecting charges for utility services provided to their customers.
“This case is not about disconnecting customers,” said Town Manager John Craft, “it’s about preserving the Town’s ability and discretion to operate its electric system in a manner that balances the needs of customers undergoing financial difficulties with the Town’s obligation to maintain the fiscal health of its system and meet its debt service obligations.”
“Small cities and towns in rural North Carolina that provide utility services, such as electricity and water/sewer, cannot survive extended government overreach enacted by Executive Order 124,” said Representative Chris Humphrey.
Lenoir Community College instructors in externship with Spirit AeroSystems
Mechanical Engineering Chair Matthew Berg, and Computer-Integrated Machining Chair Andrew Luppino, are spending five weeks this summer at Spirit AeroSystems as part of an externship.
Kinston Starbucks opening Friday at 5:30 a.m.
Kinstonians in search of a caffeine fix will have a new option beginning Friday morning. General Manager Allyne Dyer confirmed to Neuse News that the new Starbucks on West Vernon Avenue in Kinston will open on Friday, June 12 at 5:30 a.m.
Kinston man brings in first legal catch of the Big Rock Blue Marlin tournament
The 62nd Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament has record-breaking purse of $3,343,975. Taking place from June 5-13, 2020 in Morehead City, the tournament is among the largest and oldest sport fishing tournaments in the country. Kinston native and crew member William Johnson of ‘Hatter-Done’ brought in a 488-pound blue marlin late Monday afternoon.
Kinston Police Chief addresses recent protest and current events
On Tuesday afternoon Kinston Police Chief Tim Dilday addressed the recent peaceful protest held in Kinston and other current events. “We will be back in our elementary schools, middle school, and high school where we work diligently to build relationships and to inspire the police officers of tomorrow.”
New Lenoir County corporations
The following businesses were registered with the North Carolina Secretary of State:
2020 graduates urged to heed lessons taught by adversity
High school seniors who battled through the disruptions caused by two flood-inducing hurricanes and a global pandemic to earn their diplomas got a welcomed dose of encouragement from speakers at five Lenoir County Public Schools commencement exercises last week.
Together, 567 seniors were awarded diplomas by Kinston, North Lenoir and South Lenoir high schools, Lenoir County Early College High School and Lenoir County Learning Academy in ceremonies arrayed over four days and ending Thursday.
JSHS holds socially-distanced commencement
Jones Senior High School held a commencement ceremony for its 2020 graduates, with friends and family viewing the ceremony from vehicles in the school parking lot.
Farmer's market update for June 6, 2020
What’s new at the market? Local corn, broccoli, local squash, local zucchini and local new potatoes. TC Smith will be at the market on Tuesdays from now on! Of course, they will be there on Saturday, too.
Saturday: 8am - 2pm
Emma Webb park improvement plan moving forward, pool closed since 2018
With COVID-19 effecting daily life, having amenities that include walking trails, and open space will benefit the community while maintaining the ability for social distancing. After 85 years, Emma Webb pool closed in 2018. It would have cost about $600,000 to put a new liner and upgrade the pool.
Jones County to host COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing
Jones County Health Department is pleased to announce that it will be partnering with StarMed Healthcare to host a COVID-19 drive-thru testing event this Thursday, June 4, 2020 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Jones County Civic Center, which is located at 832 Hwy 58 South, Trenton, NC. Any county resident wanting to be tested at the event must complete a virtual health screening prior to receiving a COVID-19 test.
Local teen starts petition to allow N.C. teens to get drivers licenses
When Kinston local Elliana Sylvia dreamt of her 16th birthday, she didn’t imagine it would be taking place during a global pandemic. With DMV road tests canceled, she turned her disappointment over not getting her license into action.
Parrott's General Store to close September 2020 if not sold
“My dad loved this business with all his heart, so this is really hard for us. If we are unable to sell the business we will close our doors as of September 1st, 2020.”
Governor Cooper Extends Moratorium on Utility Cut Offs and Implements Evictions Moratorium
Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 142 to extend the prohibition of utility shut-offs and implement a moratorium on evictions. The Order went into effect on Saturday with the Governor’s signature.
Jones County to host COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing
Jones County Health Department is pleased to announce that it will be partnering with StarMed Healthcare to host a COVID-19 drive-thru testing event this Thursday, June 4, 2020 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Jones County Civic Center, which is located at 832 Hwy 58 South, Trenton, NC. Any county resident wanting to be tested at the event must complete a virtual health screening prior to receiving a COVID-19 test.